Gatchalian: Wang’s naturalization bid met all requirements

FILE: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday justified the Senate’s decision to grant Filipino citizenship to Chinese entrepreneur Li Duan Wang, saying he complied with all legal requirements and has no derogatory records.

In a virtual briefing Wednesday, Gatchalian said his team evaluated Wang’s application, which has been approved by the House of Representatives based on the documents submitted by the businessman.

“Ang importante naman diyan, unang-una, no derogatory reports, walang masamang reports tungkol sa tao. At pangalawa, nakumpleto niya lahat ng mga requirements (What’s important here is that there were no derogatory reports, no negative reports about him. Second, he completed all the necessary legal requirements),” he said.

The lawmaker clarified that the Senate conducted an independent review of Wang’s naturalization application.

When concerns arose about Wang’s possible links to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), additional background checks were made by the Senate Committee on Justice, which was then chaired by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, he said.

“They went beyond the minimum requirements. Humingi sila ng  (They asked) requirements from National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council. They also requested information from the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization). So, this is beyond the requirements na kasi meron ngang ganitong aspeto (because of the presence of these aspects).” Gatchalian said.

The senator acknowledged the concerns raised by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros regarding Wang’s alleged connections to fugitive Duanren Wu and POGO-linked businesses.

He, however, underscored that naturalization decisions must be anchored on concrete evidence rather than speculation.

“Importante din yung ebidensya eh kasi for example marami tayong mga ganitong naturalization proceedings at ayaw nating mangyari na may isang taong galit sayo at sasabihin na may link ka sa ganito o may link ka sa ganyan without any evidence. Baka maabuso (Evidences are also important because for example we have many such naturalization proceedings and we don’t want that when someone is angry with you that person can say you have links to this or that without any evidence),” he explained.

“If that will be the standard and the standard is without any proof or evidence, baka maulit to sa iba na kung may kagalit ka lang, sasabihan na ikaw linked sa ganitong criminality. So, unfair naman yun doon sa mga naga-apply (If that will be the standard and the standard is without any proof or evidence it might be a precedent to others that if you are angry with someone, you will just accuse someone of having links to this type of criminality. So, that is unfair to the applicants),” he said.

Gatchalian said Wang has lived in the Philippines for a long time, with his children studying in local schools and his businesses operating legally in the country.

After personally reviewing the documents multiple times, Gatchalian said he found Wang’s application to be fully compliant.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito echoed Gatchalian’s stance, saying he also made his own research before signing the committee report on Wang’s proposed naturalization.

“Before I signed, I checked with (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) Chief Gilbert Cruz, who said that Mark Ong (Wang’s Filipino name) is a long-time junket operator for casinos, not POGO. That is the information they have,” he said in a Viber message to reporters.

He, likewise, said Wang has been residing in the Philippines for several years, with his children studying in exclusive Chinese schools such as Xavier School and Immaculate Conception Academy, which are known for their strict admissions policies and limited acceptance of transferees.

Ejercito also noted Wang’s active membership in both the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).

“If he was here for just a few years, then he might really be part of the POGO group that entered during its peak. But he has been residing in Manila for several years,” Ejercito explained.

“Mark Ong is also a long time member of the Association of Fire Volunteer Chiefs of the Philippines, he is an active fire brigade volunteer according to [my] research,” he added.

One of the 18 measures approved by the Senate on Monday includes House Bill No. 8839, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Wang, with 19 affirmative votes, one negative vote and zero abstentions.

Hontiveros was the only one who voted against the measure, citing multiple “red flags” associated with the applicant.

During her explanation of her vote, Hontiveros raised concerns about Wang’s alleged connections to questionable activities, including ties to junket operations, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, and the United Front Work Department of China.